Reproductive System

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The following sections describe the normal development of the reproductive system. Although it is not important whether you cover the male or female development first, it is suggested that you begin with the bipotential phase then progress to the development of the gonads before moving on to the development of external genitalia.

The following discussions follow a logical progression. It is strongly recommended to follow the prompts at the end of each section.

Bipotential Phase

• Early Development (pre-differentiation)
  
  Objectives
  - To describe the events leading up to embryonic sexual differentiation, including migration of the primordial germ cells
  - To explain the difference between genetic sex and sexual differentiation and when each of these events occurs in the embryo
  
  
• Partitioning of the Cloaca
  
  Objectives
  - To list the events leading to the partitioning of the cloaca
  - To describe the structures formed by partitioning the cloaca
  - To name at least three anomalies which can result from improper partitioning of the cloaca
  
  
• Early development of External Genitalia
  
  Objectives
  - To explain the formation of the undifferentiated genitalia
  - To list an anomaly arising from formation of the urethral groove on the dorsal surface of the penis.
  - To describe the formation of the anal and urogenital orifices
  

Male Development

• Development of the Testes
  
  Objectives
  - To describe the importance of SRY in development of the testes
  - To explain the formation of the seminiferous cords, ductuli efferente and epididymis
  - To name the cells of the seminiferous cords and their importance in development of the testes
  
• Development of External Genitalia
  
  Objectives
  - To name the hormone critical to development of the male external genitalia
  - To describe the formation of the spongy urethra
  - To explain how the foreskin and scrotum are formed
  - To describe the pattern of formation of the male external genitalia
  
  

Female Development

• Development of the Ovaries
  
  Objectives
  -
  
• Development of the Vagina
  
  Objectives
  - To explain how the paramesonephric ducts are involved in formation of the uterus and vagina
  - To describe the anomaly resulting from a failure of formation of the sinovaginal bulbs
  
• Development of External Genitalia
  
  Objectives
  - To name the hormone critical to development of the female external genitalia
  - To describe the formation of the female external genitalia
  - To list the homologous structures of the male and female external genitalia
  

Summary of Derivatives of Embryonic Structures

 

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